A new British track cycling team, based at Derby Arena, has been unveiled.

Team KGF have high ambitions and will aim for podiums at forthcoming UCI Track Cycling World Cup events, having already caused a surprise at this year’s British National Track Cycling Championships.

Dan Bigham, Charlie Tanfield, Jonny Wale and Jacob Tipper took three golds and a silver at the nationals, breaking the record for the 4km team pursuit with four minutes 4.644 seconds, a time would have placed them in the top 10 at the Rio Olympics.

Bigham became the national champion in the 1km time trial and the individual pursuit, while Tanfield took the individual pursuit silver. That was all achieved with only two months of track-specific training in Derby. Wale has also broken the long-standing British Flying Kilometre record in a time of 57.412 seconds.

Bigham is confident of their chances of success. He said: “We’ve done everything we can to ensure our success at the top level. It’s great going into this season knowing we’re giving it our everything and we’ll sit on the start line with no regrets about our approach. I can’t wait to get stuck into racing and see what we can do against the best in the world.”

KGF team manager Ellie Green (right) with her father Mick, a trustee of the KGF foundation. (Image: Geoff Ford)

Team KGF was formed under the Karen Green Foundation banner, an East Midlands-based charity supporting the families of those suffering with leukaemia. Karen died from the disease six years ago and the team is managed by her 17-year-old daughter, Ellie.

Brother UK have continued their financial backing of the squad, which will enable Team KGF to compete at the highest level across the world, while targeting the 2018 Commonwealth Games for each rider’s respective nation.

Phil Jones, managing director of Brother UK, said: “I’ve been hugely impressed by the performances of Dan, Jonny, Jacob and Charlie this year.

“The dominance of the quartet in the National Track Championships was sensational and I have no doubt they will continue to dominate the competition.”

Over the summer the team established a base in Derby, close to the Arena, which has become a popular training centre for many cyclists, including Team GB’s academy and junior teams, because it affords them more track time than the Team GB headquarters in Manchester.

Team KGF also have support from the Derbyshire Institute of Sport (DIS) and the Arena, with access to world-class physiotherapy and strength and conditioning training.

Adi Fawcett, head of operations at DIS, said: “The DIS is a community interest that supports elite athletes to achieve their goals and perform at world class level.

“The team have access to bespoke strength and conditioning sessions, physio and performance lifestyle advice. We are excited to be supporting a team with such high aspirations and charismatic personalities.”

Phil Kilpatrick, head of cycling coaching at Derby Arena, said: “Team KGF began training at Derby Arena in the build up to the 2017 track nationals.

“Since their national success, we have supported and coached the squad and look forward to the results we know they are capable of achieving.”